DE102020208493A1 - Method for externally powered adjustment of different adjustment components in a vehicle interior, taking into account an inactivity signal - Google Patents

Abstract

The proposed solution relates in particular to a method for externally operated adjustment of different adjustment components (1.1-1.4, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3, 4, 5; Ka, Kb, Kc) in a vehicle interior (I) on the basis of at least two different, stored adjustment scenarios, Via which the different adjustment components (1.1-1.4, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3, 4, 5; Ka, Kb, Kc) are given different adjustment positions, into which the adjustment components (1.1-1.4, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3, 4, 5; Ka, Kb, Kc) after selection of an adjustment scenario, externally actuated Disabled adjustment scenarios and/or stored for all adjustment scenarios that provide for an adjustment of a specific adjustment component (Kc) that indicates inactivity of the adjustment component (Kc). sending notification signal (sH) is triggered when such an adjustment scenario is selected.

Description

The proposed solution relates to a method for externally powered adjustment of different adjustment components in a vehicle interior based on different adjustment scenarios.

Vehicles are currently known from practice in which an individual adjustment component is adjusted on the basis of preset adjustment scenarios. This relates, for example, to the setting of different adjustment positions on a vehicle seat on the basis of different user profiles stored for the vehicle seat. In this case, each user profile represents an individual adjustment scenario, via which a specific adjustment position is specified for a vehicle seat, for example in response to the presence of a vehicle key assigned to a specific user. In addition, it is contemplated, in particular for future vehicles, to control adjustment components that are separate from one another in a vehicle interior on the basis of different adjustment scenarios in order to specify different positions relative to one another for these. This includes, for example, the automated and motor-driven arrangement of vehicle seats in a vehicle interior in different adjustment positions. For example, vehicle seats should be arranged differently from one another when the vehicle is driving autonomously, and in turn should be arranged differently when a driver is actively accelerating and steering the vehicle. Different adjustment scenarios can also take into account, for example, whether a loading space in the vehicle is to be enlarged or a third row of seats is to be made available.

When adjustment components in a vehicle interior are adjusted on the basis of different stored adjustment scenarios, it can always happen that at least one of the adjustment components cannot be adjusted, for example due to a mechanical blockage. In such a case, the respective adjustment scenario or the adjustments associated with it are aborted and a notification of an error is output to a user. Any adjustment components that have already been adjusted before the termination must then be adjusted back to their original position.

Against this background, there is the task of providing an improved method for adjusting different adjustment components in a vehicle interior by external force on the basis of different adjustment scenarios.

This object is achieved with a method of claim 1.

• - eine Verstellung der einen bestimmten Verstellkomponente in allen (d.h., eine Verstellung für die eine bestimmte Verstellkomponente einschließenden) Verstellszenarien deaktiviert wird und/oder
• - für alle Verstellszenarien, die eine Verstellung der einen bestimmten Verstellkomponente vorsehen, gespeichert wird, dass ein auf eine Inaktivität der Verstellkomponente hinweisendes Hinweissignal ausgelöst wird, wenn ein solches Verstellszenario ausgewählt wird.

As part of a proposed method, it is provided that in response to at least one inactivity signal generated for a specific adjustment component

• - an adjustment of a specific adjustment component is deactivated in all adjustment scenarios (ie an adjustment for the adjustment scenarios including a specific adjustment component) and/or
• - For all adjustment scenarios that provide for an adjustment of a specific adjustment component, it is stored that a notification signal indicating inactivity of the adjustment component is triggered when such an adjustment scenario is selected.

The proposed solution is based on the basic idea (related to the vehicle) globally, ie centrally and across all relevant adjustment scenarios, to take into account any inactivity of an adjustment component and to take appropriate measures to adjust the adjustment before the implementation of an adjustment scenario to have excluded the adjustment component recognized as inactive or at least to indicate that a specific adjustment component may be inactive. A specific adjustment component is thus removed from all adjustment scenarios in response to the at least one inactivity signal and/or a possible removal of this specific adjustment component is indicated via at least one notification signal, so that the risk of an unwanted, unexpected termination of an adjustment scenario due to the selection is reduced. Furthermore, with the proposed solution, a specific adjustment component can be specifically and comparatively easily excluded from an adjustment in an adjustment scenario, for example because a user wants to obtain a preset or at least currently set adjustment position of an adjustment component independently of a possibly changed adjustment scenario.

For example, higher-level control electronics are provided, which are coupled to electronic control elements, via which at least one externally powered adjustment of one or more of the adjustment components is controlled. This means in particular that a higher-level electronic control system is coupled to individual component-side control devices, for example to a number of control devices that are each provided for a vehicle seat in the vehicle interior, a control device for the motorized adjustment of a steering column of the vehicle and/or a control device for the adjustment of fan flaps or louvers on a dashboard of the vehicle. The higher-level control electronics can then, for example, deactivate the adjustment of a specific adjustment component centrally and an affected control device can be activated accordingly or the activation of an affected control device can be blocked when an adjustment scenario is selected.

In this context, it can also be provided, for example, that the higher-level electronic control system, in response to the at least one inactivity signal, blocks activation of a specific adjustment component for an externally powered adjustment via an electronic control element assigned to the adjustment component. In this way, as part of a selected adjustment scenario, activation of one of the electronic control elements assigned to an adjustment component can be suppressed via the higher-level control electronics, so that it is no longer activated if an inactivity signal was previously present. For example, a control element, for example a control unit for the specific adjustment component, is deactivated for all adjustment scenarios that provide for an adjustment of a specific adjustment component, so that the respective control element no longer receives an adjustment signal from the higher-level control electronics, even if this is the case in the respective Adjustment scenario is provided.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be stored via the superordinate control electronics that the notification signal is to be generated. The higher-level control electronics thus centrally stores an inactivity state of the one adjustment component that affects all adjustment scenarios. In this way it is not necessary, for example, for an individual control unit assigned to the adjustment component to send an error signal, in particular an error message, for each adjustment controlled via a selected adjustment scenario. Rather, any inactivity of a specific adjustment component is already stored centrally or globally in the superordinate control electronics. In this way, the higher-level control electronics can generate the notification signal when an adjustment scenario is selected that provides for an adjustment of a specific adjustment component. For example, the notification signal is generated via the higher-level control electronics and its visual and/or optically perceptible output is triggered when a specific adjustment scenario is called up and thus an adjustment of the adjustment component previously signaled as inactive is to be triggered.

In one embodiment variant, in response to the at least one inactivity signal, which of the stored adjustment scenarios are affected by the inactivity signal received is output. A user can thus be informed, for example, which adjustment scenario is no longer possible or at least no longer possible to a certain extent, i.e. cannot be implemented with all originally intended adjustments. Corresponding information can be output directly for a user, for example, if there is a corresponding operating and/or detection event that triggers the generation of the inactivity signal. For example, a user is informed directly via a display in the vehicle interior that an adjustment component that the user has deliberately switched to inactive is excluded from adjustment for all or certain adjustment scenarios, or that a blocking of one adjustment component that has just been detected leads to this adjustment component being removed from adjustment scenarios.

An output as to which of the stored adjustment scenarios are affected by a deactivation of a specific adjustment component and/or the (later) generation of the notification signal can take place via at least one output element arranged in the vehicle interior and/or on a mobile terminal device. A visual (e.g. text and/or symbol overlay and/or light source) and/or acoustic output perceptible to a user can thus be provided, for example, via a display in the vehicle interior or on a user's mobile phone.

• - sich ein Betriebszustand der eine bestimmte Verstellkomponente verändert hat,
• - ein Verstellweg für eine Verstellung der einen bestimmten Verstellkomponente in eine mögliche Verstellrichtung (insbesondere in Richtung einer in einem Verstellszenario vorgesehenen, durch die bestimmte Verstellkomponente einzunehmenden Verstellposition) zumindest teilweise blockiert ist und/oder
• - eine Verstellmechanik für die Verstellung der einen bestimmten Verstellkomponente beschädigt ist.

Unter einen veränderten Betriebszustand kann beispielsweise fallen, dass bei einem Fahrzeugsitz als Verstellkomponente eine Sitzbelegung mit einem Kind oder einem Kindersitz elektronische detektiert wird. Ein derart veränderter Betriebszustand des Fahrzeugsitzes kann dann beispielsweise dafür sprechen, dass das Vorklappen einer Rückenlehne, das in einem oder mehreren der Verstellszenarien vorgesehen ist, (global) zu blockieren ist. Alternativ oder ergänzend kann ein etwaiges Hindernis und/oder eine Beschädigung einer Verstellmechanik dazu führen, dass zentral gesteuert eine Verstellung der jeweiligen Verstellkomponente über alle möglichen Verstellszenarien ausgespart und damit die eine bestimmte Verstellkomponente aus allen Verstellszenarien (jedenfalls temporär) herausgenommen wird.As already explained above, the generation of the inactivity signal can be triggered by the user or automated, by an electronically sensed detection event. This includes in particular that a user, for example, deliberately triggers an operating event, such as the actuation of a corresponding menu item in an operating menu of the vehicle, in order to centrally remove at least one specific adjustment component from adjustment scenarios. In the case of an automatically triggered, electronically sensed detection event, at least one sensor device in turn detects that

• - an operating condition that has changed a specific adjustment component,
• - An adjustment path for an adjustment of a specific adjustment component in a possible adjustment direction (in particular in the direction provided in an adjustment scenario, by the specific adjustment component taking adjustment position) is at least partially blocked and / or
• - an adjustment mechanism for the adjustment of a specific adjustment component is damaged.

A changed operating state can include, for example, the electronic detection of occupancy by a child or a child seat in a vehicle seat as an adjustment component. Such a changed operating state of the vehicle seat can then indicate, for example, that the folding forward of a backrest, which is provided in one or more of the adjustment scenarios, is to be (globally) blocked. Alternatively or additionally, any obstacle and/or damage to an adjustment mechanism can result in an adjustment of the respective adjustment component being left out of all possible adjustment scenarios in a centrally controlled manner and thus the one specific adjustment component being removed from all adjustment scenarios (at least temporarily).

The one specific adjustment component can be, for example, a vehicle seat, a component of a vehicle seat (such as a backrest, a headboard or a seat pan), a steering column, an adjustable element on a dashboard provided in the vehicle interior (such as an adjustable ventilation grille or an adjustable ventilation louver), a console element provided in the vehicle interior (such as an adjustable center console, an adjustable armrest or an adjustable table), a component of a console element arranged in the vehicle interior, a screen provided in the vehicle interior or a shelf provided in the vehicle interior. In particular, an adjustment of one or more of the aforementioned adjustment components can be provided in at least one adjustment scenario.

The proposed solution also provides an adjustment system for a vehicle that is configured to carry out an embodiment variant of a proposed method.

The proposed solution also extends to a computer program product for control electronics of an adjustment system for a vehicle, which has instructions that cause at least one processor of the control electronics to carry out an embodiment variant of a proposed method when the instructions are executed. In particular, the computer program product can be part of a control code for higher-level control electronics in the vehicle, via which individual control devices for adjustment components arranged in the vehicle interior can be controlled centrally.

The attached figures illustrate exemplary possible embodiment variants of the proposed solution.

• 1 in Draufsicht mit Blick in einen Fahrzeuginnenraum ein Fahrzeug mit einer Ausführungsvariante eines vorgeschlagenen Verstellsystems zur Ansteuerung unterschiedlicher Verstellkomponenten innerhalb des Fahrzeuginnenraums;
• 2 in der Seitenansicht der Fahrzeuginnenraum der 1 mit mehreren Verstellkomponenten in Form von Fahrzeugsitzen und hieran vorgesehenen Sitzkomponenten;
• 3 schematisch eine Steuerungshierarchie für eine Ausführungsvariante eines vorgeschlagenen Verfahrens.

Here show:

• 1 in a plan view looking into a vehicle interior, a vehicle with an embodiment variant of a proposed adjustment system for controlling different adjustment components within the vehicle interior;
• 2 in the side view of the vehicle interior 1 with several adjustment components in the form of vehicle seats and seat components provided thereon;
• 3 schematically a control hierarchy for an embodiment of a proposed method.

the 1 shows a vehicle F in whose vehicle interior I several electronically controlled adjustable adjustment components are arranged adjustably. These include, for example, several vehicle seats 1.1 to 1.4, a steering column 4 carrying a steering wheel, or slats as part of a dashboard element 5 on a dashboard A of the vehicle F. The vehicle seats 1.1 to 1.4 are, for example, freely adjustable within the vehicle interior I and externally actuated via drive motors on the seat. In particular, the vehicle seats 1.1 to 1.4 can be fixed at defined fixing points FP on a vehicle floor of the vehicle interior I, which correspond to positions in a first, second, third and fourth row of seats.

the 2 shows a side view of the vehicle interior I of the vehicle F with three of the vehicle seats arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis L of the vehicle. Each vehicle seat 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 has a lower seat part 2.1, 2.2 or 2.3 that can be moved along the vehicle longitudinal axis L and a backrest 3.1, 3.2 or 3.3 that can be pivoted relative to the respective lower seat part 2.1, 2.2 or 2.3.

Different adjustment components of the vehicle F, such as the vehicle seats 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4, can be adjusted within the vehicle interior I individually or in groups according to stored adjustment scenarios. For example, vehicle seats 1.2 and 1.3 in the second and third row of seats can be moved to specific adjustment positions along vehicle longitudinal axis L adjusted by a motor and their backrests 2.2 and 2.3 can be folded forward under electronic control. Alternatively, adjustment scenarios are conceivable in which, for example, the individual vehicle seats 1.1 to 1.4 are moved along the vehicle floor and aligned with one another in a specific way, for example while the vehicle F is driving autonomously. Part of one or more adjustment scenarios can also include the adjustment of the steering column 4 or the Be faucet element 5.

The extent to which an adjustment of individual adjustment components is possible can be monitored using different sensor devices. For this purpose, for example, in the 2 Count interior sensor 6 shown as an example on a vehicle ceiling, for example, includes a camera. Sensor devices can also include seat sensors 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 in the vehicle seats 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. Furthermore, for example, an adjustment position of the steering column 4 or the fitting element 5 can be detected via sensor devices in the form of position sensors 6.4 and 6.5. If a detection event is then detected via a sensor device 6, 6.1 to 6.5, for example, which indicates a changed operating state of an adjustment component, an at least partially blocked adjustment path of an adjustment component and/or at least partial damage to an adjustment mechanism provided for the adjustment of the respective adjustment component In one embodiment variant of the proposed solution, an adjustment of the respective adjustment component is centrally deactivated in all adjustment scenarios, so that when the respective adjustment scenario is selected, an adjustment of the respective adjustment component is automatically removed or left out.

According to the representation of 2 For example, the backrests 3.1 and 3.3 of the vehicle seats 1.1 and 1.3 could continue to be folded forward onto the respective lower seat part 2.1 or 2.3 along adjustment directions V3.1 and V3.3, while the occupancy of the other vehicle seat 1.2 with a child seat KS would result in folding forward the backrest 3.2 of this vehicle seat 1.2 would be blocked along an adjustment direction V3.2. The vehicle seat 1.2 is therefore detected as being occupied. In this way, an adjustment of the backrest 3.2, if necessary even of the entire vehicle seat 1.2, is removed and switched to inactive for all adjustment scenarios concerned.

Analogously, for example, inserting a mobile phone holder into electrically adjustable slats on the fitting element 5 can result in an adjustment of the slats of the fitting element 5 being removed globally from all adjustment scenarios.

Alternatively or additionally, a user can remove the adjustment of individual adjustment components from stored adjustment scenarios in a targeted manner via an operating menu and thus switch them to inactive on the user side.

A user-side deactivation of a specific adjustment component via a deliberately triggered operating event and/or via a detection event sensed electronically using at least one sensor device 6, 6.1 to 6.5 thus globally influences the feasibility of adjustments of the individual adjustment components that are to be made as a result of the selection of a stored adjustment scenario. As an alternative or in addition to a corresponding deactivation of a respective adjustment component in response to an operating or detection event, it can be stored for all adjustment scenarios that provide for an adjustment of the adjustment component switched to inactive that a notification signal s _{H is} triggered to alert a user to the inactive Point out adjustment component and thus warn accordingly when an adjustment scenario is selected that includes an adjustment of this adjustment component. A corresponding notification signal s _H can be output, for example, via a display in the vehicle interior I or on a mobile device worn by the user, such as a mobile phone, and then via a software application coupled to the vehicle F and its control electronics.

A user-switched or sensor-detected inactivity of a specific adjustment component is a higher-level control electronics SE of the vehicle F according to the 3 signaled via an inactivity _{signal S A} or s _B. The inactivity signal s _A is automated here and thus generated via a sensor device 6, 6.1 to 6.5, while the inactivity _{signal s B} is deliberately triggered by the user. Several different adjustment scenarios can be controlled via the control electronics SE. Depending on the (adjustment) scenario, different adjustment components Ka, Kb or Kc are controlled for an adjustment. The adjusting components Ka, Kb, Kc of 3 , which can also be controlled in several (at least two) adjustment scenarios to make an adjustment, are examples of the different adjustment components of the vehicle interior I that can be adjusted by external power and can therefore be adjusted, for example, by an electric motor 1 and 2 , such as the vehicle seats 1.1 to 1.4 and their seat components 2.1 to 2.3 and 3.1 to 3.3, the steering column 4 and the fitting element 5.

In the embodiment of 3 For example, the adjustment component Kc is signaled as inactive via at least one inactivity _{signal s A} or s _{B .} This component Kc is thus presently marked as no longer adjustable in at least two adjustment scenarios. For this purpose, the higher-level control electronics SE sends a control signal sc to a control device of the adjustment component Kc, in order to fundamentally block an adjustment of the adjustment component Kc in the possible adjustment scenarios (eg stored in a memory of the control electronics). Alternatively, the control signal sc can be provided for controlling the adjustment _{component K C} in order to adjust the component Kc in a selected adjustment scenario. When the inactivity signal S _A or SB is received, this control signal sc is suppressed by the control electronics SE so that the adjustment component Kc is not adjusted, even if an adjustment scenario was selected that (originally) provides for an adjustment of the adjustment component Kc.

_{If there is an inactivity signal s A} generated automatically and thus via a sensor device 6, 6.1 to 6.5, or an inactivity signal s _B generated by the user, a user can also be informed immediately which adjustment scenarios may no longer be feasible, or at least not to the extent originally intended. A user can be warned via a corresponding information signal s _H that one or more adjustment components that are (originally) to be adjusted externally in the respective adjustment scenario have now been switched to inactive or are evaluated as inactive.

Reference List

1.1-1.4

Vehicle seat (adjustment component)

2.1-2.3

Lower seat part (adjustment component)

3.1-3-3

backrest (adjustment component)

4

steering column (adjustment component)

5

Fitting element (adjustment component)

6

Interior sensor (sensor device)

6.1-6.3

Seat sensor (sensor device)

6.4, 6.5

Position sensor (sensor device)

A

dashboard

f

vehicle

Ka, Kb, Kc

adjustment component

KS

child seat

L

vehicle longitudinal axis

see

Automatically generated inactivity signal

sB

User generated inactivity signal

sC

control signal

SE

control electronics

SH

Advisory signal

V1.1, V1.2, V1.3

adjustment direction

V3.1, V3.2, V3.3

adjustment direction

FP

fixation point

Claims (11)

Method for externally powered adjustment of different adjustment components (1.1-1.4, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3, 4, 5; Ka, Kb, Kc) in a vehicle interior (I) on the basis of at least two different, stored adjustment scenarios, via which the different adjustment components ( 1.1-1.4, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3, 4, 5; Ka, Kb, Kc) different adjustment positions are specified, in which the adjustment components (1.1-1.4, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3, 4, 5; Ka, Kb, Kc) after selection of an adjustment scenario by external force, characterized in that in response to at least one inactivity signal (s _A , s _B ) generated for a specific adjustment component (Kc) - the adjustment of a specific adjustment component (Kc) in all adjustment scenarios is deactivated and/or - for all adjustment scenarios that provide for an adjustment of a specific adjustment component (Kc), it is stored that an inactivity of the adjustment component (Kc) is indicated white signal (s _H ) is triggered when such an adjustment scenario is selected. procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that a superordinate electronic control system (SE) is provided, which is coupled to electronic control elements, via which at least one adjustment of one or more of the adjustment components (1.1-1.4, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3, 4, 5; Ka, Kb, Kc) is controlled, and the adjustment of a specific adjustment component (Kc) is deactivated via the higher-level control electronics (SE) and/or the higher-level control electronics (SE) store the information signal (SH) to be generated is. procedure after claim 2 , characterized in that the higher-level control electronics (SE) in response to the at least one inactivity signal (s _A , s _B ) blocks activation of the one specific adjustment component (Kc) for an externally powered adjustment via an electronic control element assigned to the adjustment component (Kc) and /or _{generates the notification signal (s H} ) when an adjustment scenario providing for an adjustment of a specific adjustment component (Kc) is selected and the higher-level control electronics (SE) send an adjustment signal for the adjustment of a specific adjustment component (Kc) to one of the specific ones Adjustment component (Kc) sends associated control. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in response to the at least one inactivity signal (s _A , s _B ) is output which of the stored adjustment scenarios from the deactivation of a specific adjustment component (Kc) and / or the generation of the notification signal ( s _H ) are affected. procedure after claim 4 , characterized in that the output of which of the stored adjustment scenarios are affected by the deactivation of a specific adjustment component (Kc) and/or the generation of the notification signal (s _H ) via at least one output element arranged in the vehicle interior (I) and/or done on a mobile device. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generation of the inactivity signal (s _A , s _B ) is triggered by a user or is triggered automatically by an electronically detected detection event. procedure after claim 6 , characterized in that the generation of the inactivity _{signal (s A} , s _B ) is triggered by a user-side deactivation of an adjustment of a specific adjustment component (Kc). procedure after claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the generation of the inactivity signal (s _A , s _B ) is triggered by at least one sensor device (6, 6.1-6.5) which detects that an operating state of a specific adjustment component (Kc) has changed, an adjustment path for an adjustment of a specific adjustment component (Kc) in a possible adjustment direction (V1.1-V1.3, V3.1-V3.3) is at least partially blocked and/or an adjustment mechanism for the adjustment of a specific adjustment component (Kc). is partially damaged. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a specific adjustment component (Kc) is a vehicle seat (1.1-1.4), a component (2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3) of a vehicle seat (1.1-1.4), a steering column (4) , an adjustable element (5) on a dashboard (A) provided in the vehicle interior (I), a console element provided in the vehicle interior (I), a component of a console element arranged in the vehicle interior (I), a console element arranged in the vehicle interior (I) provided screen or in the vehicle interior (I) provided shelf. Adjustment system for a vehicle (F), which is configured, a method according to any one of Claims 1 until 9 to execute. Computer program product for control electronics (SE) of an adjustment system for a vehicle (F), having instructions which cause at least one processor of the control electronics (SE) to carry out the instructions, a method according to one of Claims 1 until 9 to execute.

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